Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolving landscape of higher education in China, particularly focusing on the emergence of private research-oriented universities like Ningbo Oriental Institute of Technology, and the implications of rising tuition fees and declining birth rates on enrollment and the value of degrees [3][5][18]. Group 1: Overview of Ningbo Oriental Institute of Technology - Ningbo Oriental Institute of Technology is a new research-oriented university established in June 2020, supported by local and national funding, and has attracted notable faculty and research funding [3][5]. - The university's tuition fee is set at 96,000 yuan per student per year, which is considered high compared to other prestigious institutions, but it offers a scholarship that effectively allows the first cohort of undergraduate students to attend for free [5][7]. - The pricing strategy reflects a blend of educational quality and commercial acumen, aiming to attract students while leaving room for future tuition increases [6][7]. Group 2: Trends in Private Higher Education - The article notes that several private universities have ceased enrollment over the past decade due to various challenges, including financial difficulties and regulatory issues, while public universities have faced fewer closures [10][12]. - The funding model for public universities relies heavily on government allocations, while private institutions depend on tuition fees, making them more susceptible to market fluctuations, particularly employment rates and birth rates [12][18]. Group 3: Demographic Changes and Their Impact - China's higher education enrollment has increased from 7.3 million in 2015 to an expected 10.68 million in 2024, driven by a population that saw annual births between 20 million and 15 million during that period [14]. - However, a significant decline in birth rates began in 2019, with the number of newborns dropping below 15 million, leading to projections that by 2040, the number of students entering higher education could fall to between 5 million and 6 million [14][15]. - This demographic shift is expected to create a surplus of higher education capacity, potentially leading to a reduction in the number of institutions or enrollment numbers across various programs [16][18]. Group 4: The Changing Value of Degrees - The article argues that the value of higher education degrees has shifted from being a scarce resource to a commodity, resulting in a "seller's market" for degrees, which could exacerbate issues of oversupply in the job market [18][19]. - As the number of degrees increases, the distinction between degrees from top-tier universities and those from lesser-known institutions may diminish, impacting the perceived value of all degrees [19]. - To navigate this changing landscape, institutions like Ningbo Oriental Institute of Technology are adopting strategies to establish their brand and attract quality students, recognizing the need for differentiation in a crowded market [19][20].

Group 1 - Ningbo Dongfang University of Technology is a new research-oriented university supported by the Ningbo Yurenrong Education Foundation and has received national support [2][3] - Since its establishment in June 2020, the university has attracted 16 academicians and 52 national-level talents, and has enrolled 243 doctoral students over three cohorts [3] - The university has been approved for five provincial-level research platforms and has accumulated research funding of 2.37 billion yuan [3] Group 2 - The university's tuition fee is set at 96,000 yuan per student per year, which is considered high compared to other top-tier universities, but it offers a four-year scholarship for its first undergraduate cohort [4][5] - The pricing strategy reflects a blend of educational quality and commercial acumen, aiming to attract students while leaving room for future tuition increases [5] - Similar private research-oriented universities are emerging in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, indicating a trend influenced by regional economic development [5] Group 3 - In contrast to the increasing number of private universities, many have ceased enrollment in the past decade due to various challenges, including financial difficulties and regulatory issues [6][7] - Public universities have experienced fewer enrollment halts, primarily related to specific programs rather than overall admissions, often linked to employment rates [7][8] - The funding for public universities mainly comes from government allocations, while private universities rely heavily on tuition fees, making them more susceptible to market fluctuations [8] Group 4 - The enrollment scale of higher education in China has grown from 7.3 million in 2015 to an expected 10.68 million in 2024, driven by a relatively stable birth rate during that period [9][10] - However, a significant decline in newborns began in 2019, with numbers dropping below 15 million, which will impact future enrollment figures [10][11] - Projections suggest that by 2040, the number of students entering higher education could fall to between 5 million and 6 million, leading to a potential surplus of university seats [13][15] Group 5 - If the trend of declining birth rates continues, many universities may face closure or significant reductions in enrollment, necessitating a focus on market-relevant programs to attract students [16][19] - The oversupply of degrees has transformed higher education from a buyer's market to a seller's market, complicating the competition for student enrollment [16][17] - The strategy of offering free tuition for the first cohort at Ningbo Dongfang University is aimed at establishing a strong brand and attracting quality students from the outset [18]